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Mines to Vines Reception at the U.S. Embassy of Croatia The Honorable Robert A. Bradtke, United States Ambassador to Croatia graciously joined with key executives from BARR Pharmaceutical, Inc. and BARR Laboratories, Inc. to host a VIP reception featuring over 150 guests at the Ambassador’s private residence of the U.S. Embassy of Croatia to honor the efforts of the 10th anniversary of Roots of Peace – replacing the scourge of landmines with bountiful vineyards.
In attendance at the reception were a host of dignataries and business leaders from both the United States and Croatia, including representatives from the Office of President Stepan Mesic of Croatia, members of USAID, ITF, CROMAC and local mayors representing the regions demined by Roots of Peace in Dragalić, Bebijne, Čista Mala, Čista Velika, Ilok, and Karlovac and Bastica – who traveled great distances to pay tribute to the non-profit, humanitarian organization and acknowledge the positive impact upon their communities. Joining Mrs. Heidi Kuhn, Founder and CEO of Roots of Peace, were her sons Tucker, age 23, and Christian, age 13, representing an American family genuinely dedicated to planting the “roots of peace”. The formal gift of a signed bottle of Grgich Hills Chardonnay, by legendary Croatian-American vintner, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, was presented by Heidi Kuhn to Ambassador Bradtke as a symbol of turning Mines to Vines.
In September 1997, Heidi Kuhn, Founder and CEO of Roots of Peace, inspired by the final footsteps of Princess Diana who brought the world’s attention to the vast destructive power of landmines, reached out to the California vintners to join her in an effort to replace toxic minefields with sustainable agricultural lands. With her deep respect for the preservation of land, a passionate desire to turn seeds of terror into seeds of hope, and the incredible support of legendary vintners from Napa Valley, Heidi and the Roots of Peace organization took their mission of demine,replant and rebuild – to the war-torn vineyards of Croatia. The proud partnership between Roots of Peace and the BARR corporation was initiated on December 2nd, at the Harvest of Hope Gala in Napa, California hosted by legendary vintners, Robert and Margrit Mondavi. Representing BARR Laboratories, Inc. at the U.S. Embassy Mines to Vines Reception on June 13th , 2008 and honoring Heidi Kuhn and the Roots of Peace organization were Ms. Christine a. Mundkur, CEO, Mr. Timothy B. Sawyer, EVP, Global Generic Sales and Marketing, Mr. Jake Hansen, Senior VP, Global Government Affairs, and Ms. Renata Kunkera. Additionally, since 1997, Roots of Peace has proudly fostered partnerships across the world between the Rotary Club of Karlovac and the Rotary Club of San Rafael and most recently, the Rotary Club of Zadar and the San Francisco Rotary Club #2 with the Mines to Vines project in Bastica, 2008 - 2009. Underscoring the importance of partnerships established with U.S. Embassy of Croatia, BARR Pharmaceutical and BARR Labs, and the support of generous contributions and donations from around the globe, Roots of Peace remains committed to its mission and the goal of establishing Croatia as the first mine-safe country in the world and to restoring the remaining war-torn lands to bountiful agricultural fields for generations to follow.
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